CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS- Work Conditions in the Jamaican Context

This PP looks at the working conditions of Correctional Officers in Jamaica

1. GOVT3010: CRIME & PUNISHMENT Presenter: Keleen Bailey

2. Question 10 Given that correctional officers are often poorly paid and have high turnover and burnout rates compared to other actors in the criminal justice system, what courses of action can be taken to improve these aspects for current and future correctional officers, particularly given the nature of the prison environment in Jamaica

3. Outline Introduction Who are Correctional Officers (Cos) Responsibilities and roles of COs Jamaican context: Challenges Recommendations Conclusion 3

4. Introduction 4 Department of Correctional Services, Jamaica Importance of correctional services and personnel Institutional Challenges

5. Correctional Officers Correctional officers generally work in prisons, jails, reformatories, and penitentiaries and are tasked with overseeing, securing, and controlling arrested individuals awaiting trial or those convicted and incarcerated. 5

6. Correctional Officers Responsibilities Roles Monitor inmate activities Search for contraband (weapons or drugs) Settle disputes between inmates End violent confrontations or fights between inmates Enforce the rules through disciplinary action Inspect institution facilities for signs of security breaches 6

7. Challenges

8. 8

9. Jamaica’s Prison Environment 9 “The egregious conditions of detention suffered by the inmates at SCACC, TSACC, and HARC breach the prohibition on inhuman and degrading treatment in Section 17 of the Jamaican Constitution, certain specified provisions of the Corrections Act, and the Correctional Institution (Adult Correctional Centre) Rules 1991. As regards international obligations, the current conditions are clearly in breach of Articles 7 and 10 of the ICCPR, Article 5 of the ACHR.” (The Death Penalty Project, 2011)

10. Challenges faced by COs 10

11. Recommendations 11

12. Conclusion 12

13. Thank you for Listening! 13 References Robottom, J. (2011). (rep.). Prison Conditions in Jamaica A Report based on James Robottom’s visit in August 2009 (pp. 17–30). London: Great Britain by Stones the Printers Ltd. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.deathpenaltyproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Prison-Conditions-in-Jamaica-2011.pdf. Allen, R. (2021, September 17). Nearly 100 inmates/wards/correctional staff now positive for COVID-19: Loop Jamaica. Loop News. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/nearly-100-inmateswardscorrectional-staff-now-positive-covid-19 Warders are not paid enough. eSponsored | Jamaica Gleaner. (2021, December 28). Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/esponsored/20211227/warders-are-not-paid-enough ALECIA SMITH Senior staff reporter [email protected] you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, & ALECIA SMITH Senior staff reporter [email protected]. (n.d.). Behind those prison walls. Jamaica Observer. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/behind-those-prison-walls/amp/